Family of five released after PE drug bust, charges withdrawn

Some of the 16 bags of Mandrax found in a house in Humewood, Port Elizabeth, 10 January 2019. Picture: ANA

The case was provisionally withdrawn pending a forensic report, after 13,347 Mandrax tablets were found in a house in Humewood.

A family of five — arrested for dealing in drugs in Port Elizabeth — have been released due to insufficient evidence, the Eastern Cape police said today.

Police raided a house in Humewood on Thursday, and confiscated 16 bags of mandrax tablets consisting of 13,347 individual tablets, R103,450 in cash, and a cellphone.

Acting on a ‘tip off’, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Humewood members swooped in and searched the house, the garage, and the wendy house.

Police had arrested five suspects, including a father, mother, and three children aged between 20 and 58 years old.

However, provincial police spokesman, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana confirmed today that four of the five suspects were released due to insufficient evidence and the fifth suspect, was charged and taken to court.

Kinana said the case was provisionally withdrawn pending a forensic report and the investigation continues.

Police had earlier said it was alleged that the drugs arrived from Khayelitsha.

Earlier this week the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks), in conjunction with other police units, seized cocaine with a street value of R720 million on-board a ship at the Port of Ngqura.

At the time, the Hawks said the drugs, which came from Brazil, were destined for Singapore before reaching their final destination in India.

– African News Agency (ANA)

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